Trans band teacher accepted an Iowa school job offer. Days before classes, the board blocked his hiringhttps://www.advocate.com/politics/states/trans-teacher-iowa-discimination 🔗Jacob Ogles (24 Aug 2026)
A transgender music teacher in Iowa says a school board blocked his hiring days before the school year began.
Ace Rios told Omaha CBS affiliate KMTV that he had accepted an offer to teach music at a high school in Tabor, Iowa. But the Fremont-Mills Community School Board deadlocked 2-2 on approving his contract. One board member was absent, and under board rules, the tie meant the motion failed.
An agenda shows Rios' name among eight new hires considered by the board on August 19. The public agenda did not state a reason for the failed vote, and the district has not publicly explained what factors board members considered. Rios believes the decision amounted to discrimination based on his gender identity.
"I am extremely qualified to be here, but I am being discriminated against because of the way that I look and my life outside of here," Rios told the news station.
Rios had already been assigned a classroom and was preparing to teach band when district administrators told him he would not be able to begin teaching. He packed up his classroom before classes began Monday.
